Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Diet and lifestyle adjustments
• Method 2 of 4: Undergo surgery
• Method 3 of 4: Relaxation exercises for the eyes
• Method 4 of 4: Know what ocular hypertension is
• Warnings

Ocular hypertension or increased eye pressure is one of the most common eye conditions. It occurs when there is a higher than normal fluid pressure in the eye. If elevated eye pressure is neglected, you can develop glaucoma or even go blind, so it is important to take action against this condition. Increased eye pressure or ocular hypertension has no symptoms, so it is often discovered by accident during a visit to the optician. Usually eye drops are prescribed immediately, but unfortunately they do not work for everyone.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Diet and lifestyle adjustments

1. Lower the insulin levels in your body. People who have conditions such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure often become resistant to insulin, which in turn causes the body to produce more insulin. These high insulin levels are associated with increased eye pressure.
   • To overcome this problem, patients are advised to avoid certain foods that cause a sudden rise in insulin levels. These are, for example: sugar, grains (including wholemeal and organic), bread, pasta, rice, muesli and potatoes.
2. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise such as aerobics, jogging, brisk walking, cycling, and strength training can lower insulin levels in your body, protecting your eyes from hypertension.
   • Insulin is a hormone that helps transport blood sugar (or glucose) through cells to provide them with energy. When we use this energy through exercise, the amount of glucose in the body is lowered, along with the insulin value.When the insulin level is low, there is no overstimulation of the optic nerve, so no extra pressure builds up in the eyes.
   • Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day three to five times a week.
   • Avoid exercises and positions that put you in a head-down position as this can increase intraocular pressure. This can happen with certain yoga positions, such as head positions.
3. Take an omega 3 supplement. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the type of omega 3 fatty acid that keeps the retina healthy and prevents pressure in the eyes.
   • DHA (and other omega 3 fatty acids) can be found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, shellfish and herring. To get enough DHA, try to eat 2 to 3 servings of this fish per week.
   • You can also get more DHA by taking fish oil capsules or a supplement with algae containing DHA. For best results, take 3000-4000mg of standardized fish oil, or 200mg of algae supplement with DHA per day.
4. Eat more foods with lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids, which act as antioxidants to protect the body from free radicals. These free radicals weaken the immune system, which can lead to infections and damage to the optic nerve.
   • Lutein and zeaxanthin also lower eye pressure by reducing oxidative damage around the optic nerve. This is important because damage to the optic nerve increases the eye pressure.
   • Foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin include kale, spinach, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and raw egg yolks. Try to include at least one of these foods in your main meals every day.
5. Avoid trans fats. As mentioned above, omega 3 fatty acids can help lower eye pressure. But trans fats prevent omega 3 from doing its job properly, which can lead to increased eye pressure.
   • That is why it is good to eat as little trans fats as possible. These include processed foods, pastries, cookies, fried foods, ice creams and popcorn.
6. Eat more dark berries. Dark berries such as blueberries, blackcurrants and blackberries are good for your eye health by strengthening the blood vessels that transport nutrients to the optic nerves and muscles. This is because dark berries are high in antioxidants that strengthen blood vessels. This reduces the risk of bleeding and damage to the blood vessels.
   • Try to eat at least one serving of dark berries every day.
   • Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant and is used to prevent and treat a variety of eye diseases, including glaucoma and increased eye pressure. It is usually recommended to take 75 mg twice a day.
   • Bilberries are widely used to improve vision and combat degenerative eye diseases, including increased eye pressure. Research on a specific product containing bilberry and pycnogenol (an extract of pine bark) shows that it lowers eye pressure.
   • Grape Seed Extract is an antioxidant and works well in reducing eye strain due to glare. Grape seed extract is widely used to combat the signs of aging and improve night vision.
7. Use marijuana (weed). You can eat, drink, smoke or vaporize marijuana in an oil burner. One of the components of marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), has no psychoactive effect and has been shown to help with increased eye pressure. 20-40 mg of CBD is enough to lower the eye pressure.

Method 2 of 4: Undergo surgery

1. Know when surgery may be necessary. If the high eye pressure persists, it can damage the optic nerve, which can lead to a condition called glaucoma. Over time, glaucoma can lead to blindness. Glaucoma is usually treated with a combination of eye drops and oral medications. But if this doesn't help, surgery may be required to reduce eye pressure.
   • Glaucoma surgery improves the flow of fluids within the eye, which decreases eye pressure. Sometimes one surgery is not enough to lower the eye pressure and treat glaucoma. Then a follow-up operation is necessary.
   • Different types of surgery are used to treat glaucoma, depending on the severity of the situation.
2. Ask your doctor about a glaucoma implant. A glaucoma implant is often used to treat high eye pressure in children or people with advanced glaucoma. During this procedure, a small tube is placed in the eye to drain fluid. When the liquid is out, the pressure in the eye is less.
3. Consider laser surgery. Trabeculoplasty is a type of laser treatment in which a powerful laser beam is used to open blocked drainage channels in the eyes, so that the excess liquid can escape. After the operation, the eye pressure is checked regularly to see if the operation was successful.
   • Another type of laser treatment is iridotomy. This type of laser is used on people with very narrow drainage channels. A small hole is made at the top of the iris so that moisture can drain out.
   • If iridotomy does not work, peripheral iridotomy can be used. A small part of the iris is removed to promote the drainage of moisture. This type of surgery is relatively rare.
4. It may be necessary to apply a drain. Trabeculectomy is a type of surgical procedure used as a last resort when no other treatment has helped.
   • An opening is made in the eye skirt (the white part of the eye), and a small piece of tissue is removed from the cornea. For example, liquid can flow out of the eye, reducing the pressure.
   • This procedure is done on one eye first and then on the other a few weeks later, if necessary. Further treatment may be necessary as the opening may need to be resealed.

Method 3 of 4: Relaxation exercises for the eyes

1. Practice blinking every 3 to 4 seconds. People who often work at a computer, watch TV or play computer games tend to blink too little. This causes the eyes to become overloaded.
   • You can relax and refresh your eyes by practicing blinking every 3 to 4 seconds for two minutes. Use a clock to record the time if necessary.
   • This reduces the pressure on the eyes, making it easier for them to process new information.
2. Place the palm of your hand on your eye. Covering your eye with the palm of your hand allows you to relax your eyes and mind for a moment, reducing stress and allowing you to blink freely.
   • Put your right hand on your right eye, rest your fingers on your forehead and the heel of your hand on your cheekbone. Don't put pressure.
   • Hold the hand there for 30 seconds, and keep blinking. Now take your hand away and cover your left eye with your left hand, and repeat.
3. Pretend to follow the number eight with your eyes. This exercise strengthens and makes the eye muscles more flexible, reducing damage and reducing the risk of increased eye pressure.
   • Imagine there is a big 8 on the wall in front of you, on its side. Now follow the 8 with your eyes, without moving your head. Keep doing this for about two minutes.
   • If you have a hard time imagining this, you can also draw a real 8 on a large piece of paper and hang it on the wall. Now you can follow this with your eyes.
4. Practice focusing your eyes on objects near and far. This exercise strengthens the eye muscles and improves your vision.
   • Find a nice place to sit without distractions. Hold your thumb about 10 inches in front of your face and focus your eyes on that point.
   • Look at your thumb for 5 to 10 seconds, then focus on an object 3 to 6 meters away from you. Alternate between your thumb and the distant object for two minutes.
5. Try to zoom in and out. This exercise improves the focusing of the eye and also helps to strengthen the eye muscles.
   • Hold one arm out in front of you and raise your thumb. Focus on your thumb with both eyes and then move your thumb towards you until it is about 3 inches from your face.
   • Now move your thumb away from you again, but keep the thumb in focus. Keep zooming in and out for 2 minutes.
6. Discover biofeedback. This technique can help you reduce pressure on your eyes. Biofeedback teaches you to control normal body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. A biofeedback therapist teaches you techniques that you can practice yourself.

Method 4 of 4: Know what ocular hypertension is

1. Understand how high eye pressure is diagnosed. High eye pressure (known medically as ocular hypertension) is difficult to diagnose because you don't experience any obvious symptoms such as redness or pain. A diagnosis cannot be made with just a visual examination, so you should have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist. He / she will use one of the methods below (or a combination) to see if you have increased eye pressure.
   • Tonometry. The eye pressure is measured and it is assessed whether the pressure falls within the correct values. The eye is anesthetized and an orange liquid is applied so that the specialist can determine the level of pressure.
   • A reading of 21 mmHg or higher usually means that there is increased eye pressure. But there are also other conditions that can cause this value, such as head or eye injury, or bleeding behind the cornea.
   • Air puff. In this procedure, the patient must look straight into a device while the specialist shines a light into the eye. The device then blows some air into the eye. A special machine then reads the eye pressure by assessing the change in the light reflection during the air puff.
2. Understand the causes of high eye pressure. Ocular hypertension is associated with old age, among other factors. Several factors can influence the development of high eye pressure. These include:
   • Excessive production of room moisture. Chamber fluid is a thick watery substance located in the front part of the eye. It is removed through the trabeculum. If too much room moisture is produced, the eye pressure will increase.
   • Reduced room moisture drainage. If the chamber fluid cannot be properly removed, the eye pressure can increase.
   • Certain medications. Certain medications (such as steroids) can cause ocular hypertension, especially in people who are already at higher risk for it.
   • Eye injuries. Any irritation or injury to the eye can upset the balance of aqueous humor production and drainage, which can increase eye pressure.
   • Other eye conditions. Increased intraocular pressure is often associated with other eye conditions such as pseudo-exfoliating glaucoma, arcus senilis, and dispersion syndrome.
3. Know the risk factors for having increased eye pressure. Anyone can get increased eye pressure, but research has shown that certain groups are at higher risk:
   • People of African descent.
   • People over 40.
   • People with a family history of ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
   • People with a thin cornea.

Warnings

• Some fish recommended for its omega-3 fatty acids contain low amounts of mercury, but if you don't eat too much of it, it's not harmful. Be careful if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant. In that case, do not eat king mackerel, swordfish and shark.